Textiles and garments having thermo-reflective material

ABSTRACT

Aspects herein are directed to a textile comprising at least one compressed portion, at least one uncompressed portion, and a deposit of thermo-reflective material on at least the compressed portion. Other aspects herein are directed to a method of manufacturing a textile or garment having a deposit of thermo-reflective material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application, having U.S. application Ser. No. 16/351,249 andentitled “Textiles and Garments Having Thermo-reflective Material,”claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/672,237,filed May 16, 2018, and entitled, “Textiles and Garments HavingThermoreflective Material,” the entirety of which is incorporated hereby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects herein relate to textiles and garments made therefrom having adeposit of thermo-reflective material and compressed in select areas ofthe textile.

BACKGROUND

Traditional textiles having thermo-reflective features are generallyconfigured so that the thermo-reflective feature comprises a film thatis superimposed on the textile. The film may negatively affectbreathability and permeability of the underlying textile.

Moreover, many conventional performance or functional textiles andgarments are designed either to cool a wearer or keep the wearer warm.Cooling textiles and garments characteristically possess breathability,permeability, and/or wicking qualities. As a result, body heat and/orperspiration is transferred away from the user and through the textile.Warming textiles characteristically possess insulative properties totrap and retain body heat between the wearer and the textile. Some ofthese warming textiles may sacrifice breathability, permeability, and/orwicking characteristics to increase heat retention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with referenceto the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example textile having athermo-reflective material deposited in select compressed portions ofthe textile in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example textile of FIG.1 in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting a textile havingthermo-reflective material deposited in compressed portions anduncompressed portions of the textile in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view depicting a textile havingthermo-reflective material continuously deposited on compressed anduncompressed portions of the textile in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embossed textile havingthermo-reflective material deposited on embossed portions in accordancewith aspects herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates example patterns of thermo-reflective materialdeposited on compressed portions of a textile in accordance with aspectsherein;

FIG. 7 illustrates an inside-out view of an example garmentincorporating a textile having one or more deposits of thermo-reflectivematerial in accordance with aspects herein; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of forming atextile in accordance with aspects herein where the textile isselectively compressed and the compressed portion(s) receives a depositof a thermo-reflective material in accordance with aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described withspecificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of thisdisclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed ordisclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, toinclude different steps or combinations of steps similar to the onesdescribed in this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” mightbe used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, theterms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order amongor between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when theorder of individual steps is explicitly stated.

By way of background, the human body does not radiate heat uniformly.Certain zones of the human body may emit higher amounts of heat energyor thermal radiation, for example, the axillary region. Certain zones ofthe human body may emit lower amounts of heat energy, for example, theforearms. In order to optimize a garment's ability to regulate theunequal thermal dispersion of body heat generated by a user, aspectsherein contemplate a garment utilizing a zonal variance of higherinfrared (IR) reflectivity portions. That is, in areas of relativelyhigh heat radiance or high thermal radiation, the garment in accordancewith aspects herein may have a higher proportion of compressed andthermo-reflective coated portions to uncompressed and/or uncoatedportions.

At a high level, aspects herein relate to a textile, and garments formedfrom the textile, having a deposit of thermo-reflective material andcompressed in select areas of the textile. In example aspects, thetextile comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface. The first surface comprises a compressed portion and anuncompressed portion, where the compressed portion comprises a depositof thermo-reflective material. In example aspects, the textile iscompressed such that the planar continuity of the first surface isinterrupted by the compressed portions, whereas the second surface issubstantially planar. The surface of the compressed portion of thetextile provides a flatter substrate for the deposit of thethermo-reflective material as compared to the uncompressed portion. Inone example aspect, the uncompressed portion does not comprise a depositof a thermo-reflective material. As such, with respect to this aspect,the compressed portion comprising the thermo-reflective material helpsto reflect back towards a wearer's body surface, at least a portion ofthe IR heat waves emitted by the wearer's body.

Continuing, in other aspects, the uncompressed portion also comprises adeposit of thermo-reflective material. In aspects where the uncompressedportion comprises a deposit of thermo-reflective material, the increasedflatness of the compressed portion may result in a measurable increasein luster, yielding increased reflectivity of IR heat waves by thethermo-reflective material deposited in the compressed portion ascompared to the uncompressed portion. More particularly, because thecompressed portion is flatter, the thermo-reflective material is appliedin a more planar, regular manner than the uncompressed portion. This isbecause the uncompressed portion may comprise a more uneven surface dueto, for instance, the texture of the yarns used to form the textile andthe interlacing of the yarns when knit or woven. Thus, thethermo-reflective material is deposited in a more random manner comparedto the compressed portion. That being said, it is contemplated hereinthat the compressed portion is also effective to reflect IR heat waves.In all aspects, the textile in accordance with aspects herein hasthermoregulation characteristics by reflecting at least a portion of theIR heat waves emitted by a wearer's body without sacrificingbreathability, permeability, and/or wicking qualities compared to sometraditional warming textiles. This is because a vapor deposition processis used to deposit the thermo-reflective material onto the textile. Thethermo-reflective material provides IR reflectivity but the textileremains porous enough to be both breathable and permeable. In contrast,a solid thermo-reflective material, such as a laminate film, may berelatively impermeable and lacks breathability.

When the textile is incorporated into a garment, the thermo-reflectivematerial is positioned so as to be on an inner-facing surface of thegarment. Moreover, portions of the garment having greater reflectivity(i.e., more thermo-reflective material and/or more compressed portionswith thermo-reflective material) may be configured to correspond to(i.e., be positioned adjacent to) high heat loss portions of a wearer'sbody, and portions of the garment having less reflectively (i.e., lessthermo-reflective material and/or less compressed portions) may beconfigured to correspond to (i.e., be positioned adjacent to) low heatloss portions of the wearer's body. By utilizing a garment as described,higher zonal reflectivity of emitted body heat slows total thermaldissipation in high heat loss portions of the wearer's body while lowerzonal reflectively of emitted body heat helps to maintain wearer comfortin low heat loss areas. Despite increased thermal retention, the garmentretains permeability, breathability, and wicking characteristics due tothe thermo-reflective material being deposited via a vapor depositionprocess.

Accordingly, aspects herein are directed to a textile comprising a firstsurface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The firstsurface comprises at least one compressed portion and at least oneuncompressed portion. The at least one compressed portion has a firstthickness as measured from a surface of the compressed portion to thesecond surface. The at least one uncompressed portion has a secondthickness as measured from a surface of the uncompressed portion to thesecond surface, where the first thickness is less than the secondthickness. The at least one compressed portion additionally comprises afirst deposit of a thermo-reflective material.

Aspects herein are further directed to a garment comprising a firsttextile layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface. The first surface comprises at least one compressedportion at a first predetermined location on the first textile layer.The first surface additionally comprises at least one uncompressedportion at a second predetermined location. The compressed portioncomprises a first deposit of thermo-reflective material and theuncompressed portion comprises a second deposit of thermo-reflectivematerial.

Aspects herein are additionally directed to a method of manufacturing areflective textile by first selectively compressing at least a portionof a first surface of the textile to form at least one compressedportion and at least one uncompressed portion. Next, a thermo-reflectivematerial is applied to at least the first surface of the compressedportion of the textile via a vapor deposition process.

Positional terms as used herein to describe a garment such as“anterior,” “posterior,” “front,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,”“inner-facing surface,” “outer-facing surface,” and the like are withrespect to the garment being appropriately sized and being worn asintended by a wearer standing in an upright position. The term “knit,”as used herein is meant to encompass both warp knit and weft knitfabrics as is known in the art of textiles.

The term “continuous” as used in reference to deposits ofthermo-reflective material means a deposit of thermo-reflective materialwithout interruption. This is meant to exclude intentionally stopping afirst deposit of thermo-reflective material and starting a seconddeposit of thermo-reflective material at some point subsequent; such adiscontinuous deposit resulting in a trailing edge of the first depositand a leading edge of a second deposit. The term “continuous” as usedherein is meant to encompass a deposit having unintentional,intermittent, isolated interruptions or gaps (e.g., from a manufacturingdefect, due to fabric irregularities, due to naturally occurring spacesor gaps between yarns in a knit or woven textile, caused by wear ormanipulation of the textile, and the like) from a discontinuous depositas described above.

Continuing, the term “thermo-reflective material” means any one or morematerials having high reflectively and/or low emissivity characteristicsin portions of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising body heatemissions, for example, infrared waves. Non-limiting examples of such amaterial may include, liquid, aqueous, vaporized, or powdered metalssuch as aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), silver (Ag),tin (Sn), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), lead(Pb), chromium (Cr), and/or alloys thereof. Further, example reflectivematerials may comprise non-metallic substances or compounds comprisingmetals such as metalized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate(BoPET), commonly known by the trade name Mylar®, Melinex®, andHostaphan®, and metalized polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Otherexample reflective materials may comprise semi-metallic substances suchas silicon (Si) and silicon containing compounds. As used herein, embossrefers to a surface (or method of forming a surface) that stands out inrelief from adjacent surfaces. Deboss refers to a surface (or method offorming a surface) that is indented or recessed from adjacent surfaces.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an example textile 100 isillustrated in accordance with aspects herein. In aspects, the textilesdisclosed in accordance with aspects herein are of a woven construction.In other aspects, the various disclosed textiles may be a knitconstruction (e.g., a single knit or double knit), or any otherconstruction capable of being selectively compressed and at leastpartially coated with a thermo-reflective material (e.g., a non-wovenconstruction). In some aspects, a textile in accordance with aspectsherein may have both woven portions, knit portions, and/or non-wovenportions. In some example aspects, a knit textile in accordance withaspects herein may be calendared to create a substantially smooth anduniform surface for receipt of the thermo-reflective material. A textilein accordance with aspects herein may comprise nylon yarns or polyesteryarns. In example aspects, the nylon or polyester yarns may compriseless textured and/or flat yarns. Any and all aspects, and any variationthereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

The textile 100 comprises a first surface 110 and a second surface 112opposite the first surface 110. In aspects, the second surface 112 issubstantially planar with respect to an x, y plane. The planarcontinuity of the first surface 110 may be interrupted by one or morecompressed portions 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d. Therefore, in exampleaspects, the textile 100 may comprise one or more compressed portions114 a, 114 b, 114 c, or 114 d, and one or more uncompressed portions 118a, 118 b, 118 c, 118 d, and 118 e. In aspects, an uncompressed portion,such as the uncompressed portion 118 b, may separate two compressedportions, such as 114 a and 114 b. To state it a different way, acompressed portion, such as compressed portion 114 a, may separate twouncompressed portions, such as uncompressed portions 118 a and 118 b.

Continuing, using compressed portion 114 a as an example compressedportion, the compressed portion 114 a, of the textile 100 has a firstthickness 116 as measured between a surface 126 of the compressedportion 114 a and the second surface 112. In aspects, the firstthickness 116 may be in the range of from about 0.25 mm to about 15 mm.As used herein, the term “about” means within ±5% of a designated value.Using uncompressed portion 118 b of the textile 100 as an exampleuncompressed portion, the uncompressed portion 118 b has a secondthickness 120 as measured between a surface 127 of the uncompressedportion 118 b and the second surface 112. In aspects, the secondthickness 120 may be in the range of from about 0.30 mm to about 20 mm.Continuing, the difference in thickness between the second thickness 120and the first thickness 116 may be from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 cm,from about 0.1 mm to about 8 mm, or from about 0.1 mm to about 4 mm.

In the aspect shown in FIG. 1, the compressed portions 114 a, 114 b, 114c, and 114 d comprise one or more deposits of a thermo-reflectivematerial 122. A blown up view of the compressed portion 114 d is shownin FIG. 1 to better illustrate the deposit of thermo-reflective material122. The structure of the compressed portion 114 d shown in the blown-upportion of FIG. 1 is generally similar to the compressed portions 114 a,114 b, and 114 c of FIG. 1. In example aspects, the compressed portion114 d may comprise two sidewalls 124, the surface 126, and the depositof thermo-reflective material 122. As will be explained more fullybelow, due to the process used to form the textile 100, the compressedportion 114 d comprises the same textile as the uncompressed portions118 a-118 e, but at a higher density or compactness. As seen, thesurface 126 of the compressed portion 114 d is substantially parallel tobut offset from the surface 127 of the uncompressed portions 118 d and118 e. It is further parallel to but offset from the second surface 112.To describe it in a different way, the surface 126 of the compressedportion 114 d is positioned between the surface 127 of the uncompressedportions 118 d and 118 e and the second surface 112. The two sidewalls124 may be substantially perpendicular to the surface 126 of thecompressed portion 114 d. Though each of the two sidewalls 124 areillustrated as substantially perpendicular to the surface 126 of thecompressed portion 114 d, in aspects, the sidewalls 124 may bepositively or negatively sloped with respect to the surface 126 and maybe linear or curved. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, arecontemplated as being within aspects herein.

With continued respect to the blown up view of FIG. 1, the compressedportion 114 d comprises the deposit of thermo-reflective material 122.The thermo-reflective material 122 may have a thickness of less than0.025 mm. In other aspects, the thermo-reflective material 122 may havea thickness of less than 1 mm. In yet other aspects, thethermo-reflective material 122 may have a thickness of less than 1micron. In aspects the thermo-reflective material 122 may limited to thesurface 126 of the compressed portion 114 d. In other aspects, at leasta portion of the thermo-reflective material 122 may extend partiallythrough the surface 126 of the compressed portion 114 d. For example,the thermo-reflective material 122 may extend between at least some ofthe fibers/filaments/yarns used to form the textile 100. In someaspects, the thermo-reflective material 122 in a particular compressedportion may be of uniform thickness or may be of varying thickness. Anyand all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as beingwithin aspects herein.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a side view or cross-sectional view of a portionof the textile 100 is illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. Asshown, the textile 100 comprises the compressed portions 114 a, 114 band 114 c, and the uncompressed portions 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, and 118 d.As shown, the uncompressed portion 118 b separates the compressedportions 114 a and 114 b, and the uncompressed portion 118 c separatesthe compressed portions 114 b and 114 c.

Although the widths of the various compressed portions 114 a, 114 b, 114c are illustrated as being generally equal to one another, it iscontemplated herein that they may each comprise a different width, orthat one or more may comprise a different width. Similarly, although thewidths of the various uncompressed portions 118 a, 118 b, 118 c, and 118b are shown as being generally equal to one another, it is contemplatedherein that they may each comprise a different width, or that one ormore may comprise a different width. In aspects, varying the width ofany one or more of the compressed and/or uncompressed portions mayincrease or decrease the amount of heat waves reflected inwardly to awearer when implemented in a garment in an as-worn configuration. Forexample, more heat is radiated outward from the axilla of a wearer thanthe abdomen. Because a greater amount of IR heat waves are reflected bythe thermo-reflective material deposited in the compressed portions,increasing the width of compressed portions and/or decreasing the widthof intervening uncompressed portions in the axilla region, may reflectgreater amounts of heat back towards the wearer. Varying the width ofeither the compressed portions, the uncompressed portions, or both isdesirable in order to make a textile better suited for particularapplications or for usage in particular portions of a wearer's body (aswill be discussed in greater detail herein).

Using the compressed portions 114 a and 114 b as examples, thecompressed portion 114 a may have a thickness 116 a and the compressedportion 114 b may have a thickness 116 b. In aspects, the thickness 116a of the compressed portion 114 a and the thickness 116 b of thecompressed portion 114 b may be the same or different. In aspects,varying the thickness of the compressed portions of the textile 100 maymake it better suited for particular applications.

With continued respect to FIG. 2, in aspects, the thickness ofthermo-reflective material 122 in a particular compressed portion mayvary. As disclosed above, the thickness of the thermo-reflectivematerial 122 may be constant or may vary within any particularcompressed portion 114 a, 114 b, or 114 c. The thickness of thethermo-reflective material 122 may also be constant or vary acrossmultiple compressed portions 114 a, 114 b, and 114 c. For example, athickness 128 a of the thermo-reflective material 122 in the compressedportion 114 a may be generally equal or different than a thickness 128 bof the thermo-reflective material 122 in the compressed portion 114 b,and either or both may be different than a thickness 128 c of thethermo-reflective material 122 in the compressed portion 114 c. Inaspects, the composition of the thermo-reflective material 122 in thecompressed portion 114 a may be the same or different than thecomposition of the thermo-reflective material 122 in the compressedportion 114 b. For example the compressed portion 114 a may comprise afirst thermo-reflective material (e.g., aluminum) and the compressedportion 114 b may comprise a different, second thermo-reflectivematerial (e.g., stainless steel). Any and all aspects, and any variationthereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a side view or cross-sectional view of a textile300 is illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. The textile 300may incorporate any feature disclosed in reference to the textile 100discussed above, and may differ only in additionally comprising a seconddeposit of thermo-reflective material 310. In accordance with such anaspect, the textile 300 comprises a first deposit of thermo-reflectivematerial 322 on a surface 326 of a compressed portion 314 and a seconddeposit of thermo-reflective material 310 on a surface 327 of anuncompressed portion 318. In such aspects, sidewalls 324 of thecompressed portion 314 do not comprise a deposit of thermo-reflectivematerial other than that amount of the thermo-reflective material 322deposited on the surface 326 of the compressed portion 314.

In aspects, the thickness and composition of the first and seconddeposits of thermo-reflective material 322 and 310 may be the same ormay vary. The first deposit of thermo-reflective material 322 may have athickness 328 and the second deposit of thermo-reflective material 310may have a thickness 329. In some aspects, the thickness 328 of thefirst deposit of thermo-reflective material 322 may be the same ordifferent than the thickness 329 of the second deposit ofthermo-reflective material 310. Likewise, the composition of the firstdeposit of thermo-reflective material 322 may be the same or differentthan the composition of the second deposit of thermo-reflective material310 (e.g., one may be aluminum and one may be stainless steel).

In aspects, the first deposit of thermo-reflective material 322 may havegreater reflectivity properties than the second deposit ofthermo-reflective material 310. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a firstset of infrared waves 302 are directed to the compressed portion 314. Aportion 304 of the first set of infrared waves 302 are reflected by thefirst deposit of thermo-reflective material 322. A second set ofinfrared waves 306 are directed to the uncompressed portion 318. Aportion 308 of the second set of infrared waves 306 are reflected by thesecond deposit of thermo-reflective material 310. In aspects, the firstdeposit of thermo-reflective material 322 reflects a greater percentageof the first set of infrared waves 302 than the second deposit ofthermo-reflective material 310 reflects of the second set of infraredwaves 306. This is because the textile substrate of the surface 326 ofthe compressed portion 314 is flatter, more compacted, and more uniformthan the surface 327 of the uncompressed portion 318 due to beingcompressed, resulting in the vapor-deposited thermo-reflective materialhaving a more uniform, more planar, and therefore more reflective,surface.

In aspects, reflectivity properties of the first deposit ofthermo-reflective material 322 and the second deposit ofthermo-reflective material 310 may be measured by an emiss-o-meter,reflectometer, spectrometer, or any other device used to measure total,hemispherical, and/or directional reflectance. Reflectivity(interchangeably referred to as reflectance herein) may be measured as apercentage or ratio of spectral or radiant flux reflected by a surfacedivided by that received by the surface. In aspects, the totalreflectance of the first deposit of thermo-reflective material may be inthe range of from about 70% to about 90%. For example, the reflectanceof the first deposit of thermo-reflective material may be about 80%. Thetotal reflectance of the second deposit of thermo-reflective materialmay be in the range of from about 25% to about 50%. For example thereflectance of the second deposit of thermo-reflective material may bebetween from about 30% to about 40%. In aspects, the total reflectanceof the first deposit of thermo-reflective material 322 may be greaterthan the total reflectance of the second deposit of thermo-reflectivematerial 310.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view or cross-sectional view of atextile 400 is illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. Thetextile 400 comprises a continuous deposit of thermo-reflective material412 on a surface 427 of uncompressed portions 418, sidewalls 424, and asurface 426 of compressed portions 414. To describe it differently, thethermo-reflective material 412 may be without purposeful interruptionson the uncompressed portions 418, the sidewalls 424, and the compressedportions 414. The continuous deposit of thermo-reflective material 412may have a thickness 404 on the uncompressed portions 418, a thickness402 on the compressed portions 414, and a thickness 406 on the sidewalls424. The different thicknesses 402, 404, and 406 may be generally equalor different.

As well, the composition of the continuous deposit of thermo-reflectivematerial 412 may be uniform or may vary in certain portions of thetextile 400. By way of example, the portion of the continuous deposit ofthermo-reflective material 412 on the uncompressed portions 418 maycomprise a first substance (e.g., aluminum) and, on the compressedportions 414, may comprise a second substance (e.g., stainless steel).The portion of the continuous deposit of thermo-reflective material 412on the sidewalls 424 may comprise the same or differentthermo-reflective material as on the compressed portions 414 and theuncompressed portions 418.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embossed textile 500 is illustrated inaccordance with aspects herein. The embossed textile 500 comprises afirst surface 510, a second surface 512 opposite the first surface 510,one or more compressed portions as illustrated by reference numeral 514,and one or more uncompressed portions as illustrated by referencenumeral 518. With respect to the blow-up portion of FIG. 5, thecompressed portion 514 comprises a first surface 526, a second surface528 opposite the first surface 526, a first set of sidewalls 529 and asecond set of sidewalls 524. The compressed portion 514 may have athickness 516 as measured between the first surface 526 and the secondsurface 528. In the uncompressed portion 518, the embossed textile 500may have a second thickness 520 as measured between a first surface 527of the uncompressed portion 518 and a second surface 525 of theuncompressed portion 518 where the second surface 525 is opposite thefirst surface 527. In aspects, the thickness 516 is less than the secondthickness 520.

With continued reference to the blown up view, the first surface 526 ofthe compressed portions 514 is planar to (with respect to an x, y plane)but offset in a positive z direction from first surface 527 of theuncompressed portion 518. Similarly, the second surface 528 of thecompressed portions 514 is planar to (with respect to an x, y plane) butoffset in a positive z direction from the second surface 525 of theuncompressed portion 518.

In example aspects, the embossed textile 500 may comprise a firstdeposit of thermo-reflective material 522 only on the first surface 526of the compressed portions 514. Alternatively, in aspects not shown, theembossed textile 500 may further comprise a second deposit ofthermo-reflective material on the first surface 527 of the uncompressedportions 518, without any deposit of thermo-reflective material on thesecond set of sidewalls 524. In an additional aspect not shown, theembossed textile 500 may comprise a single, continuous deposit ofthermo-reflective material on the first surface 526 of the compressedportions 514, the first surface 527 of the uncompressed portions 518,and the second set of sidewalls 524. Any and all aspects, and anyvariation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a number of patterns of thermo-reflectivematerial deposited on compressed portions of a textile are shown inaccordance with aspects herein. Compressed portions may be linear, asdepicted in example textiles 100 and 500, or may have variousshapes/patterns. It is conceived that in various portions of a textile,it may be desirable to have relatively higher or lower densities ofcompressed portions. Because compressed portions may have a greatertotal reflectance of IR heat waves than the uncompressed portions,higher concentrations of compressed portions will reflect greateramounts of IR heat energy. For example, a garment designed to retainheat in vicinity of the axilla may have a higher concentration ofcompressed portions in that area than in, for example, the flanks of atorso. This is because the axilla emits greater amounts of IR heatenergy than the flanks of a torso; so, achieving greater IR reflectivityin this area by use of a higher number of compressed portions or ahigher ratio of compressed portions to uncompressed portions helps toreflect the heat energy back to the wearer thereby helping the wearer tostay warm. To achieve various concentrations of compressed portions,various shapes/patterns of compressed portions are illustrated inaccordance with aspects herein. As seen in FIG. 6, the one or morecompressed portions may resemble: expanding square 602, expanding circle604, parallel lines 606, non-parallel lines 608, concentriccircles/ovals 610, concentric diamonds/squares/rectangles 612, waves(parallel or non-parallel) 614, and radiating lines 616. These are justa few examples of various patterns and it is contemplated herein thatthere may be additional patterns not shown. Moreover, patterns shown inFIG. 6 may be combined within a particular textile and/or garment. Anyand all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as beingwithin aspects herein.

Aspects herein contemplate incorporating any one or more of the textilesdescribed herein, such as the textile 100, textile 300, textile 400, ortextile 500 in a garment. A garment in accordance with aspects herein isconfigured to address the uneven heat loss exhibited by a human body,particularly during exercise. When exercising, the human body, unlike atheoretical blackbody, does not evenly radiate heat energy. Instead,humans radiate heat in different amounts in different portions of thebody. Thus, when the textiles described herein are incorporated into agarment, it is contemplated that the garment may comprise one or morezones where compressed portions are present or more densely configured.These zones may be positioned in areas of the garment configured to bepositioned adjacent to areas of the wearer's body exhibiting high heatloss (e.g., axilla, trapezius, spine, popliteal fossa, and calves). Thegarment may additionally comprise other zones where compressed portionsare less densely configured or absent altogether. These zones may bepositioned in areas of the garment configured to be positioned adjacentto portions of the wearer's body that exhibit relatively lower heat loss(e.g., portions of the abdominal cavity, knees, and gluteal region).Because the garment has breathability, permeability, and wickingcharacteristics due to the vapor deposition of the thermo-reflectivematerial, evaporative heat loss may be regulated while retainingradiated heat.

An example garment 700 is shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with aspectsherein. The garment 700 is shown in the form of an inside-out,upper-body garment (e.g., a shirt) to better illustrate the describedfeatures. Although shown as an upper-body garment, it is contemplatedherein that the garment 700 may also be in the form of a lower-bodygarment, a whole body garment, headwear, footwear and the like.Moreover, although shown in the form of a shirt, it is contemplatedherein that the garment 700 may take other forms such as a jacket, apull-over, a hoodie, a vest, and the like. Any and all aspects, and anyvariation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein. Inexample aspects, the garment 700 may be entirely formed from any one ormore of the textiles described herein. Alternatively, one or moreportions of the garment 700 may be formed from any one or more of thetextiles described herein and other portions of the garment 700 may beformed from other textile types (e.g., woven, non-woven, different knitconstructions, and the like). When describing the portions of thegarment 700 that incorporate any one or more of the textiles describedherein, reference numerals associated with the textile 100 will beutilized as examples.

With respect to the garment 700, in example aspects it is contemplatedthat the first surface 110 of the textile 100 may comprise aninner-facing surface 710 of the garment 700. Moreover, with respect tothis aspect, the inner-facing surface 710 of the garment formed by thefirst surface 110 of the textile 100 may comprise one or more compressedportions 714 and one or more uncompressed portions 718, where thecompressed portions 714 of the garment correspond to at least one ormore of the compressed portions 114 a-114 d of the textile 100 and theuncompressed portions 718 of the garment 700 correspond to one or moreof the uncompressed portions 118 a-118 e of the textile 100. In aspects,at least one of the compressed portions 714 is located at a firstpredetermined location on the garment 700 and at least one of theuncompressed portions 718 is located at a second predetermined locationon the garment 700. In example aspects, the second surface 112 of thetextile 100 may form an outer-facing surface 712 of the garment 700.However, it is contemplated herein that the garment 700 may comprise oneor more additional layers secured to the second surface 112 of thetextile 100 to form, for instance, a shell layer of the garment 700. Anyand all aspects, and any variation thereof are contemplated as beingwithin aspects herein.

In example aspects, the compressed portions 714 may comprise a depositof thermo-reflective material, such as the thermo-reflective material122 of the textile 100 (shown by the stippling in FIG. 7). In otheraspects, the compressed portions 714 may comprise the deposit ofthermo-reflective material 122 and the uncompressed portions 718 maycomprise a second deposit of thermo-reflective material, the first andsecond deposits of thermo-reflective material being discontinuous (thatis, some space separates the two deposits). In yet other aspects, thecompressed portions 714 and the uncompressed portions 718 may comprise asingle, continuous deposit of thermo-reflective material.

As introduced above, the garment 700 may comprise a plurality of zones.In a non-limiting example, the garment 700 may have a first zone 702, asecond zone 704, and a third zone 706. The first zone 702 may correspondto an area of high relative heat loss on a wearer, such as the wearer'sarms. The second zone 704 may correspond to an area of moderate heatloss, such as the sides of the wearer. The third zone 706 may correspondto an area of relatively low heat loss, such as the abdomen of thewearer. The number, location, size, and characteristics of the zones ofa the garment 700 are examples only and it is contemplated that thegarment 700 may comprise compressed portions 714 and uncompressedportions 718 in any configuration, number, shape, and size at any one ormore predetermined locations on the garment 700.

Because the first zone 702 corresponds to an area of higher heat lossthan, for example, the second zone 704 and the third zone 706, the ratioof the surface area of compressed portions 714 to the surface area ofuncompressed portions 718 may be greater. Such an increased ratio may bedue to increasing the width of the compressed portions 714 compared tothe width of the uncompressed portions 718; alternatively oradditionally, the width of the compressed portions 714 may remainconstant and the width of the uncompressed portions 718 may be reduced,and/or the number of compressed portions to uncompressed portions may beincreased with both having an equal width. By having a greater ratio ofthe surface area of the compressed portions 714 to the surface area ofthe uncompressed portions 718 in the first zone 702 than another zone, agreater amount of radiative heat loss from the body will be reflectedinwardly towards the wearer.

It is contemplated that the second zone 704 has higher relative heatloss than the third zone 706 but less than the first zone 702. In areasof relatively moderate heat loss, such as the second zone 704, the ratioof the surface area of the compressed portions 714 to the surface areaof the uncompressed portions 718 may be greater than in the third zone706 but less than that of the first zone 702. It is contemplated thatthe third zone 706 has less radiative heat loss relative to the firstzone 702 and the second zone 704. In aspects, the third zone 706 mayhave no compressed portions. In other aspects, the third zone 706 mayhave compressed portions; however, the ratio of the surface area of thecompressed portions 714 to the surface area of the uncompressed portions718 may be less than both the first zone 702 and the second zone 704.

Continuing, in any one or more zones, the widths of compressed portions714 and uncompressed portions 718 may be constant (e.g., everycompressed portion 714 has a width of about 5 mm and every uncompressedportion 718 has a width of about 8 mm). In aspects, in any one or morezones, the widths of compressed portions 714 and/or uncompressedportions 718 may vary (e.g., a first compressed portion has a width ofabout 5 mm, a second compressed portion has a width of about 8 mm,and/or a first uncompressed portion has a width of about 7 mm and asecond uncompressed portion has a width of about 3 mm).

It is also contemplated that a garment, such as the garment 700, may beformed from the embossed textile 500. With respect to this aspect, aninner-facing surface of the garment may comprise the first surface 526of the compressed portions 514 and the first surface 527 of theuncompressed portions 518, where at least the first surface 526 of thecompressed portions 514 comprises a deposit of thermo-reflectivematerial 522. Alternatively, the inner-facing surface of the garment maycomprise the second surface 528 of the compressed portions 514 and thesecond surface 525 of the uncompressed portions 518, where at least thesecond surface 528 of the compressed portions 514 comprises a deposit ofthermo-reflective material. Any and all aspects, and any variationsthereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram is depicted of an example method800 of forming a textile comprising selectively compressed portions anddeposit(s) of thermo-reflective material in accordance with aspectsherein. At a step 810, a first surface of a textile, such as the textile100, is selectively compressed to form at least one compressed portionand at least one uncompressed portion. In example aspects, the textilemay be of knit construction, a woven construction, or a non-wovenconstruction. In an aspect, the textile, especially when comprising aknit textile, may optionally be submitted to a calendaring process priorto selectively compressing the textile to form the compressed anduncompressed portion(s) to smooth or even out one or both of the firstand second surfaces. In other aspects, any physical or chemical processmay be used to smooth or even out at least the first surface of thetextile.

A variety of physical processes may be used to selectively compress thetextile to form at least one compressed portion. In aspects, a diesystem may be used to apply pressure to select portions of the firstsurface of a textile. The die may be configured to impress any patternsuitable, using pressure, to the first surface. By applying pressure inone portion of the textile, a compressed portion is formed; by notapplying pressure to a second portion of the textile, an uncompressedportion (relative to the compressed portion) remains. In aspects, thefirst surface of the compressed portion is recessed, relative to thefirst surface of the uncompressed portion (i.e., debossed). In aspects,a continuous roll process may be used to selectively apply pressure toat least the first surface of a textile in order to form a compressedportion. In other aspects, the continuous roll process may utilize bothpressure and heat to form the compressed portion of a textile. Usingpressure only, the continuous roll process compresses the fibers of thecompressed portion, creating a more uniform and flat surface, relativeto the uncompressed portion. When using heat and pressure, thecontinuous roll process may additionally melt or soften the fibers ofthe textile to further increase the uniformity and flatness of thecompressed portion, relative to the uncompressed portion. Whether usingpressure or a combination of heat and pressure, the resulting compressedportion creates a substrate that will yield a greater luster for athermo-reflective material deposited thereon.

Continuing, in step 820, a vaporized thermo-reflective material isapplied to at least the selectively compressed portion of a textile. Inaspects, the vaporized thermo-reflective material is applied via a vapordeposition process. In aspects, the vaporized thermo-reflective materialcomprises a metallized vapor. The metallized vapor may comprisealuminum, stainless steel, or other metals (and/or their alloys). Inother aspects, any material (e.g., monomer, polymer) havingthermo-reflective properties and capable of being applied by a vapordeposition processes may be used. In aspects, a solid thermo-reflectivematerial is vaporized by adjusting heat and/or pressure to transitionthe substance from a solid state to a vapor state. In one exampleaspect, a solid aluminum wire is heated in a vacuum to transition thesolid aluminum wire to an aluminum vapor which is then applied to thetextile.

A vapor deposition process may be used to directly apply vaporizedthermo-reflective material to the first surface of the textile, that is,the first substrate to which the vaporized thermo-reflective materialwill bind is the first surface of the textile. Alternatively oradditionally, a vapor deposition process may be used to indirectly applyvaporized thermo-reflective material to the first surface of the textilevia an intermediate substrate. In a non-limiting example, a vaporizedthermo-reflective material may deposited using vapor deposition to aroller. The roller, comprising the thermo-reflective material, couldthen be passed over at least the first surface of the textile in orderto convey the thermo-reflective material to at least a portion of thefirst surface of the textile.

Without regard to whether the vaporized thermo-reflective material isapplied directly or indirectly via an intermediary substrate, in someaspects, uncompressed portions of the textile may be masked so as tocreate a deposit of the thermo-reflective material on only the surfaceof the compressed portion(s). In other aspects, the uncompressedportions may be masked during a first deposition, yielding a firstdeposit of thermo-reflective material in the compressed portion(s), andin a second and/or subsequent deposition, the compressed portion(s) maybe masked, yielding a second deposit of thermo-reflective material inthe uncompressed portion. In yet other aspects, neither portion ismasked prior to the deposition, permitting the entire first surface(including both compressed portions and uncompressed portions) to yielda single and/or continuous deposit of vaporized thermo-reflectivematerial.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent tobe illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope.A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing theaforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in thespecific order described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A textile comprising: a first surface and asecond surface opposite the first surface, the first surface having atleast one compressed portion having a first thickness as measured fromthe first surface of the at least one compressed portion to the secondsurface, at least one uncompressed portion having a second thickness asmeasured from the first surface of the at least one uncompressed portionto the second surface, the first thickness being less than the secondthickness, and a sidewall defining a boundary between the at least oneuncompressed portion and the at least one compressed portion, whereinthe at least one compressed portion comprises a first deposit of athermo-reflective material, the at least one uncompressed portioncomprises a second deposit of the thermo-reflective material, and thethermo-reflective material is absent from the sidewall.
 2. The textileof claim 1, wherein the at least one compressed portion has a greaterinfrared reflectivity than the at least one uncompressed portion.
 3. Thetextile of claim 1, wherein the textile is one of a knit construction ora woven construction.
 4. The textile of claim 3, wherein the textilecomprises one or more of nylon yarns and polyester yarns.
 5. The textileof claim 1, wherein the thermo-reflective material comprises aluminum orstainless steel.
 6. A garment comprising: a first textile layer having afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the firstsurface having at least one compressed portion at a first location onthe first textile layer, at least one uncompressed portion at a secondlocation on the first textile layer, and a sidewall defining a boundarybetween the at least one uncompressed portion and the at least onecompressed portion, wherein the at least one compressed portioncomprises a first deposit of a thermo-reflective material, the at leastone uncompressed portion comprises a second deposit of thethermo-reflective material, and the thermo-reflective material is absentfrom the sidewall.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the first locationis positioned on the garment so as to correspond to a high heat lossarea of a human body when the garment is in an as-worn configuration. 8.The garment of claim 6, wherein the first surface comprises aninner-facing surface of the garment when the garment is in an as-wornconfiguration.
 9. The garment of claim 6, further comprising a secondtextile layer having a uniform thickness, the second textile layerhaving a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface,at least a portion of the first surface of the second textile layerbeing coupled to at least a portion of the second surface of the firsttextile layer.
 10. The garment of claim 6, wherein the first deposit ofthe thermo-reflective material comprises aluminum or stainless steel.